Tracey Romanoff

Daniel J. Fredrickson and Tracey Romanoff (right) were a loving couple who enjoyed cooking meals together, family members told the Providence Journal.

Romanoff, 32, worked at the local office of H & R Block.

A chief petty officer machinist's mate, Fredrickson, 37, had served in the Navy for 19 years, recruited in 1983 from his hometown of Elma, Wash. He had been assigned for the past three years to tenant command of the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.

His superior officers commended him as an "outstanding leader."

Relatives described Fredrickson as an outgoing family man who loved to have fun. Fredrickson had four children with a former wife, Donna DeBord.

The Navy released a statement saying his death had shocked his shipmates, adding, "The thoughts and prayers of personnel are with Chief Fredrickson and his family at this very difficult time."